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Mashpee Wampanoags await word on federal status
Friday, January 13, 2006

After 30 years of waiting, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts is near an answer on its federal status.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is preparing a preliminary determination on the tribe's recognition bid. It will be ready by March, although a consultant for the tribe, who used to work for the BIA, says he doesn't think the deadline will be met.

The move came as a result of litigation the tribe filed. But tribal leaders -- backed by a gaming developer -- also hired Jack Abramoff's lobbying firm to press their case among members of Congress. Two associates, including who refused to testify before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, who have since left the firm represented the tribe.

Some tribal members worry the connection to Abramoff will hurt their petition. But tribal leaders have defended the decision to increase their presence in Washington.

Get the Story:
D.C. specialist finds recognition likely (The Cape Cod Times 1/13)
Tribe meets the face of recognition (The Cape Cod Times 1/13)
Cape Cod Indians Worry Abramoff Link May Hurt Casino Chances (Bloomberg News 1/12)

Relevant Documents:
Summary of Acknowledgment Cases | R. Lee Fleming Declaration

Only on Indianz.Com:
Federal Recognition Database V2.0 (May 2005)

Relevant Links:
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe - http://mashpeewampanoagtribe.com

Related Stories:
Massachusetts tribe says scandal won't hurt case (01/05)
Mashpees call for tribe to cut ties to lobbyists (12/21)
Opinion: Mashpees disturbed by tribal lobbying (12/07)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe active in Washington (12/1)
Mashpee chair gave Abramoff e-mails to FBI (11/29)
Mashpee chair gave Abramoff e-mails to FBI (11/29)
Mashpee chairman happy with Abramoff work (11/22)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe tight on membership (10/11)
BIA assigns team to Mashpee Wampanoag petition (10/3)
Massachusetts tribe, town weigh recognition deal (09/16)
Massachusetts tribe won't make land claims (08/22)
Massachusetts tribe waits for answer on recognition (08/05)
Wampanoag teen joins tribe's Run for Recognition (07/28)
Massachusetts tribe waits for ruling on recognition (7/27)
Judge approves timeline for Mashpee recognition (7/26)
BIA proposes timeline for Mashpee recognition (7/19)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe steers clear of Abramoff (05/23)
Judge blasts BIA for delays in recognition case (02/15)
Wampanoag tribe back to court on recognition bid (2/14)
BIA opposes Pombo's federal recognition bill (2/11)
Bill addresses slow-moving recognition process (02/07)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe presses recognition bid (09/03)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe rubs elbows at RNC (9/1)
House panel sympathetic to tribes on recognition (04/01)
Federal recognition process subject of two hearings (03/31)
BIA delaying decision on Mass. tribe (12/20)
Mass. town accused of hindering recognition (10/30)
Jump in recognition petitions noted (06/12)
BIA recognition staff fails pressure test (05/31)
Wampanoag leader remembered (03/08)

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